Quarterly tourism numbers eclipse state record

(The Center Square) — Florida officials say that the Sunshine State has set another record for tourism.

According to a news release from Gov. Ron DeSantis' office, visitation to the Sunshine State has set a record between July and September of 2023 with an estimated total of 35.1 million visitors.

DeSantis signs bills from recently-concluded special session

(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed all of the bills passed this week during the Florida Legislature’s special session.

The special session was called in response to several pressing issues, including communities in need of relief from recent Hurricane Idalia, increasing access to education funding for disabled children and violence that has erupted in the Middle East.

DeSantis signs trade agreement with Great Britain

(The Center Square) — Roughly six months after visiting with British leaders in London, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced this week Florida is expanding its business partnerships with the United Kingdom.

The governor announced on Tuesday that he and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch, MP, signed a memorandum of understanding to increase trade and bilateral investment, strengthen business ties and grow academic partnerships.

Digital currency sales tax holiday getting a push

(The Center Square) – A bill introduced in the Florida Senate would create a sales tax holiday for people who pay for purchases with digital currency.

State Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, sponsor of Senate Bill 352, believes it will help introduce residents to the benefits of digital currency. Customers who pay with virtual currencies would not have be charged sales taxes at businesses such as gas stations and restaurants.

The holiday would start June 1, 2025 and go through July 31, 2025.

Florida unemployment rate lowest among nation's most populated states

(The Center Square) — According to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida has a seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% and ranks 14th overall, sharing a spot with Kansas and Hawaii.

Of the five largest states by population — California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania — Florida has the lowest unemployment rate. At the same time, New York, Texas and California all sit above the national average of 3.8%.